World Music CD Reviews South Asia

“I remember those days,” says Bollywood legend Asha Bhosle, introducing this collection, “when in the night you would make me listen to music from all over the world...jazz, Latin American, African...” Spoken to the departed songwriter, producer and musician R.D. Burman, it’s a touching testament to his influence on Indian popular music. On The Real RD, a collection of reworked Burman favorites recorded by Bhosle and producer Nitin Shankar, the composer’s commitment to experimentation is duly honored. From the Latin rhythms and soaring Santana guitars of “Aaj Ki Raat” and “Sharabi Ankhen” to “Chhodo Sanam,” with its African-style guitar and drum rhythms, and the Afro-Asian tribal pounding of “Yeh Naina Yaad Hai,” there is nothing in Burman’s songs or Bhosle/Shankar’s interpretations that would leave one thinking of these artists as “just another” Bollywood writer or singer. This is exactly the tribute this great artist deserves.